Travelogue
| Gateway
to the Silk Road | Guizhou
Landscape |
| Dream away
in Yangshuo |
Where memories linger |
| Grand Canal
at Hangzhou Ending | Curing
Cuisines | Tea Tour
|
| A Challenging
Trip | Expedition
to fairyland |
| Snacks at Kunming
| Lijiang Impression
|
| A Quiet Village
Tour | Splash
off Your Bad Luck |
| Summer
Escape to a Holy Island | Suzhou’s
History |
| In the Heart
of a Miao Village | No-frills
cruise along the Yangtze |
Summer
Escape to a Holy Island
Namrita Chow
Temperatures have been scorching here in Shanghai,
and sitting in air-conditioning all day every
day is not at all healthy. One alternative is
to escape for a few days of cool breezes and the
gentle ebb and flow of water along a sandy beach
and the sounds of gongs, chants, and wildlife
- in essence pure unadulterated indulgence to
relax and re-vitalize for the last few weeks of
summer heat.
Putuoshan Island lies in the Zhejiang Province,
approximately 250 kilometres south of Shanghai.
It is a relatively small island with an area of
only 12.5 square kilometres. Its circumference
is only 33 kilometres. But the abundance of hills
and monasteries, beaches and forests provide several
days of pleasant sightseeing.
According to legend, Guanyin, the Goddess of
Mercy, resides on the island and it is her presence
that makes it one of the sacred spots for Buddhist
pilgrims.
Fanyin Cave at one of the furthest points of
the island marks a small monastery where Guanyin
is said to emerge from the waves beating against
a long cliff-like cave.
Above the steep rocks is an almost hidden paved
path through the forest, leading to a monastery
and then another. It is almost impossible to get
lost on the island as there are so many monasteries;
one is more likely to find every path leads somewhere
interesting.
There are various beaches on the island including
one designated for swimming, with all the necessary
modern facilities such as changing rooms, beach
chairs, umbrellas and even towels for hire! Water
sports include water-bikes with which one can
zip into the depths of the sea. In the evenings
the beach transforms into a party venue with a
small bar and beach karaoke!
Local roadside restaurants are far more expensive
than the air-conditioned restaurants opposite
the posh four-star Putoshan Hotel. The restaurants
near the hotel are a lot cleaner, though the cafes
do offer that Summer escape: pilgrimage to Putuoshan,
which makes you have a feeling like a real islander.
The main attraction of the island is the oldest
temple which is high up on the top of Buddha Apex
Peak. Though a cable car provides a beautiful
journey over tree tops, the hike up makes it a
real monastic journey; a real feeling of pilgrimage.
There are said to be a thousand steps from the
base to Huiji Monastery on the top of the Buddha
Apex. One of the nicest ways is to start at the
beautiful Fayu Monastery, and then follow the
path.
Time your walk to reach the top at half past
10, when the monks at Huiji Temple open their
kitchen to the public. It is a fantastic experience
of clean vegetables grown on the island, and cooked
simply yet absolutely delicious, and you can eat
as much as you want for 5 yuan (US$0.6). However,
the rule is that you cannot waste.
There are 13 mountains on the island and more
than 20 pilgrim sites and places of interest.
One is spoilt for choice. It has 3,000 to 4,000
inhabitants of whom about 1,000 are monks and
nuns.
For detailed information,
you can just drop in an email and you will get
a quick reply within 12 hours.
john@chinahuangshan.com
congzhang35@hotmail.com
Link Partners:
www.photoexplorertours.com/china.htm
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